Beloved Ansonia volunteer dies of cancer

ANSONIA  Shirley Zuraw, one of the citys most beloved volunteers, died Thursday after losing her battle with cancer. She was 55 years old.

Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

Published
12:00 am EDT, Saturday, August 23, 2003

Zuraw was a member of the Ansonia Rescue Medical Services for 30 years, and served as the citys welfare officer for more than 25 years.

In June, the Fire Department joined forces with ARMS to come to Zuraws aid by holding a boot drive/collection on her behalf.

At that time, Zuraw had recently been diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma, and her co-workers and friends wanted to assist with her medical bills.

Mayor James Della Volpe said Friday that Zuraws passing is an enormous loss for the city.

"She will be truly missed by the ARMS community and everyone," Della Volpe said. "She was very dedicated and very instrumental in making the ARMS program a success. She was like a mother to everyone."

Board of Education President Beverly Tidmarsh, who knew Zuraw for years, said Zuraw was the type of person that would do anything for anyone.

"She would give you the shirt off her back," said Tidmarsh. "She was a wonderful person."

The flag outside the ARMS building on West Main Street was lowered to half-staff on Friday, and a black patch was draped about the facility as a symbol to mourn her loss.

ARMS Director and Chief Frank Halpin couldnt be reached for comment Friday, but had previously said Zuraw was the kind of person who always had a smile for everyone, as well as a good joke.

She was quick to praise people, especially the ARMS staff and volunteers, for a job well done, Halpin said.

Halpin also said Zuraw, while not a certified emergency medical technician, was always on hand to aid emergency workers with needed hot or cold drinks on the scene of a crisis or emergency, no matter what time of day or night.

Past ARMS Director Bob Reichelt had referred to Zuraw as "the guys second mother," and as someone who worked behind the scenes to make sure every event the crew responded to was a success.

The Hylwa-Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home at 167 Wakelee Ave. is handling all the arrangements.